Rev. Misael Avila: Pope needs help from disillusioned

Regarding “Pope Francis still has more work to do” (Letters, March 26): I totally agree with the writer. But as much as the pope wants to reform the church, he doesn’t have a magic stick to do it. For liberals he’s not liberal enough and for conservatives he’s not conservative enough.

Regarding “Pope Francis still has more work to do” (Letters, March 26): I totally agree with the writer. But as much as the pope wants to reform the church, he doesn’t have a magic stick to do it. For liberals he’s not liberal enough and for conservatives he’s not conservative enough.

In regards to the role of women in the church, the pope recognizes their indispensable contribution and wants them to play a greater role in decision-making. But this is not going to happen overnight. Reform takes time, especially in the church.

I understand why there are many people disillusioned with the church. There are many things I don’t like about my church and I hope that one day things will change. But as much as I love and respect the pope and my bishop, I’m not in the church because of them or anyone else. I’m in the church because of God. He’s never going to disappoint me. So I invite those who have left the church to reconsider returning because certainly the pope has a lot of work to do, but he needs their help within the church, not outside of it.